Game apparatus



May 24, 1938 P. FISCHER 2,113,037

GAME APPARATUS Filed June 24, 19:55 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 l QOoooooooo! fluumm u 6% 36 1115 ATTORNEYS.

May 24, 1938. P. FISCHER GAME APPARATUS Filed Jung 24, less 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 7 8 J 3 w w 1 1 a l lll I III 5 M H w f a w a H 5 w I w 7 2 x m 9 m 4 I J 3 M T 2 x V J /I r 0 H I i f a M w M 1 J a Pull p BY am fi'w 171$ ATTORNEYS.

y 938. P. FISCHER 2,118,037

GAME APPARATUS Filed June 24, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet I5 fl INVENTOR.

53 j P/LLlL b [Escher H15 ATTORNEYS.

P. FISCHER GAME APPARATUS May 24, 1938. 2,118,037

Filed June 24, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ff'j./j

INVENTOR. Pfil Zl W [Esther m5 ATTORNEYS.

y 1938. P. FISCHER GAME APPARATUS Filed June 24, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 @553 ENE EBQD KID Patented May 24, 1938 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE 15 Claims.

This invention relates to a game apparatus.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved game apparatus which is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction and eflicient in use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel game apparatus, which is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with so-called pin and marble games, and which embodies a series or group of electric lights, visible, when illuminated, from a point above the playing surface, and arranged in the pattern of a baseball diamond, and means including a device actuated by played balls for successively closing circuit to said lights so as to represent the movement of a' player around the diamond.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel game apparatus of the so-called pin and marble game type and which is par- :10 ticularly adapted for use as a baseball game or the like, said game apparatus embodying a series of electric lights arranged in the pattern of a baseball diamond, and means including a device actuated by a played ball for successively illuminating the said lights so as to simulate or represent the progressive movement of a player or players around the diamond.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel device for indicating or tallying the runs or scores made upon the apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel device for resetting the score-tallying device back into its initial or zero position after operation thereof.

: Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be understood best by reference to the accompanying drawings, showing the preferred form of construction and in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a game apparatus embodying a preferred form of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line 22 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view, on line 3-3 in Fig. 1, showing one of the lights which are arranged below the playing surface or diamond of the apparatus to indicate the movement of a player around the diamond;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view, on line 4-4 in Fig, 2, showing the ball-actuated relays which control the circuit to the electric lights which are arranged around and below the diamond;

Fig. 5 is an end elevational view, on line 5-5 in Fig. 4, showing the switches by means of which the circuit to the lights is opened;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view on line 6-6 Fig. 9 is a sectional detail view of one of the relays, on line 99 on Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of the circuitclosing device for the score-tallying unit which is embodied in the present invention;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view, on line |l--ll in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view, on line |2-|2 in Fig. 11, showing the resetting device for the scoreindicating or tallying unit which is shown in Figs. 10 and 11;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view on line l3-l3 in Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical circuit embodied in the present invention; and

Fig. 15 is a detail sectional view of a coincontrolled switch embodied in the present apparatus, and taken on line l5l 5 in Fig. 2.

Construction A preferred form of the present invention is shown in the drawings, is therein generally indicated at 15, and comprises a cabinet l6 which includes an inclined playing board i I, having ball exit scoring openings or pockets I8 provided therein.

Arranged upon the inclined playing board IT, at an edge thereof, is a ball runway or ramp I9 and slidably mounted in the lower end wall 20 of the cabinet I6 is a ball-propelling device or plunger 2| by means of which balls may be propelled, one at a time, up the ramp l9 onto the upper portion of the inclined playing board I! so that they may gravitate thereover and enter into the ball exit openings or pockets I8. 1

Defined upon the upper or playing surface of the inclined playing board i l, by means of rails 22, is a playing field 23 which is shown as having the form of a baseball diamond, and provided in the inclined playing board I! at the four corners or base positions of the diamond 23 are openings 24 (Fig. 2). Arranged upon the inclined playing board I'I, above each of the openings N is a transparent plate 25, and mounted in the cabinet l6 below each of the openings 24 and transparent plates 25 is a small electric light 26 (Fig. 2) these lights 26 being generally referred to as lights 26 and being specifically identified as lights 26A, 26B, 26C, and 26D, which represent, respectively, home base, first base, second base and third base positions (Fig. 14).

Provided in the inclined playing board 11, between each of the base positions represented by the lights 26A, 26B, 26C, and 26D, are openings 21 (Figs. 1 and 3) .and arranged upon the inclined playing board 11, above each of the openings 21, is a transparent lens 29; and mounted in the cabinet 18 below each of the openings 21 is a small electric light 28, these lights 28 being generally referred to hereinafter as the lights 28 and being specifically identified as the lights 28A and 283, which are arranged between home base position (light 26A) and first base position (light 2613); lights 28C and 28D, which are arranged between first base position (light 263) and second base position (light 26C); lights 28E and 28F, which are arranged between second base position (light 260) and third base position (light 26D), and lights 28G and 28H, which are arranged between third base position (light 26D) and home base position (light 26A) (Fig. 14).

Provided in the cabinet 16 below the inclined playing board 11 and each having communication with a preselected and predetermined number of the ball exit openings or pockets 1 are inclined ball return runways 30 (Fig. 2); these runways 30 communicating at their lower ends with a transverse runway 3|, by means of which balls may be returned to a point adjacent the propelling device or plunger 2| and the elevating means (not shown).

Arranged in each of the ball return runways 30 is a relay-actuating switch 32 and arranged in each of. the ball return runways 30, but at a point or points therein below the corresponding relay-actuating switch 32 are one or more switches 33 (Fig. 14).

The relay-actuating switches 32 are arranged in an electric circuit which is generally indicated at 34 (Fig. 14) and this circuit includes a group of relays '35, 36, 31, and 38 (Fig. 14). Each of these relays 35, 36, 31, and 38 includes an electromagnet 90, stationary contacts 52-41-95, and 93, respectively, and each of the relays 35, 36, 31, and 38 includes a movable contact 53, which is engageable with the corresponding stationary contacts 52-91-45, and 93. v

The relatively stationary contacts 52--9l95, and 93 of the relays 35, 36, 31, and 38 are electrically connected by means of conductors 54B, 54A, 54D, and 540, respectively, to contact arms 39B, 39A, 39D, and 380, respectively, and these contact arms 39B, 38A, 39D, and 380 are mounted upon a rotatable horizontal shaft 40 (Fig. 4), which is arranged in the cabinet l6 below the inclined playing board l1. Associated with and engageable successively by each of the contact arms 39A to 39D inclusive is a bank or group of radially arranged stationary contacts 41A to 4IL inclusive (Fig. 14).

The switches 33 are arranged in an auxiliary circuit, generally indicated at 42 (Fig. 14), and this auxiliary circuit 42 includes a current source I and an electromagnet 43. Associated with this electromagnet 43 is a pivotal member 44 (Figs. 7 and 14) and pivotally mounted upon the upper end portion of this member 44, as at 45, is a pawl 46, and this pawl 46 is engageable with a ratchet 41 which is mounted upon the horizontal shaft 48 (Fig. '1).

The upper end portion of the member 44 projects between a pair of guide rollers 48 which are carried by a piston rod 49 which is attached to a piston 92 and the latter is slidably mounted in a. cylinder 50, this piston rod 49, piston 92 and cylinder 50 forming a dash pot or timing device for timing or controlling the operative movement or stroke of the member 44 and the pawl 48 carried thereby under the action of the resetting spring 5|, this resetting spring 5| being attached to the ,upper end portion of the pivotal member 44 (Figs. 5 and '7).

The contact HA is electrically connected, in the circuit 34, with one side of the relay-actuating switches 32, by means of a conductor 83 (Fig. 14) and the contact 4 IB is electrically connected, by means of a conductor 55A, with the light 28A which is arranged adjacent home position (light 26A) and between the latter and first base pcaition (light 26B).

Contact C is electrically connected, by means of a conductor 553, with light 2813 which is arranged adjacent first base position (light 2413) and between the latter and light 28A, and contact 41D is electrically connected, by means of a conductor 51A, with light 263 which represents first baseposition.

The other contacts 41 are similarly connected; contact 41E being electrically connected, by means of a conductor 550, with the light 28C which is arranged adjacent to first base position (light 2613) and between the latter and second base position (light 26C); contact 41F is electrically connected, by means of a conductor 55D, with light 28D which is arranged adjacent to second base position (light 26C) and between the latter and light 280; and contact G is electrically connected, by means of, a conductor 513, with the light 260 which represents second base position. Contact 4 I H is electrically connected, by means of a conductor 55E, with the light 28E which is arranged adjacent to second base position (light 260) and between the latter and light 28F, and light 28F is electrically connected with contact 41 I by means of a conductor 55F.

Light 26D, which represents third base position, is electrically connected, by means of a conductor 51C, with contact J and contact UK is electrically connected with light 28G by means of a conductor 55G, light 28G being arranged adjacent to light 26D (which represents third base position), and between the latter and home base position (light 26A).

Light 28H, which is arranged adjacent to home base position (light 26A), and between the latter and light 28G, is electrically connected, by means of a conductor 51D, with contact ML, and this conductor 51D also connects with conductor 181 to light 26A, which represents home base position, and joins the same in parallel with light 28H.

When a played ball, upon passing through one of the ball exit openings or pockets l8 enters the corresponding ball return runway 30 it engages and closes the corresponding one of the switches 32, thereby closing the relay 35, and as the played ball travels further down the runway 30 it engages and closes one or more of the switches 33, thereby closing the circuit 42 to the electromagnet 43 (Figs. '1 andl4), a corresponding number of times, and when the electromagnet 43 is thus actuated it attracts the pivotal member 44 and the pawl 46 carried thereby to pivot the same (counterclockwise, Fig. '7). This motion of the pawl 46 causes the same to engage the ratchet 41 and move the latter and the shaft 40 a predetermined circumferential distance (counterclockwise, Fig. '7) thereby moving the contact arms 39A to 39 inclusive successively into engagement with a predetermined number of the contacts 4|, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

Leading from the light 26A, which represents home base position (Fig. 14), is a conductor 58 which is arranged in an auxiliary circuit 59, and this circuit 59 includes an electromagnet 60, (Figs. 2 and 10 to 14 inclusive). Associated with the electromagnet 60 is a pivotal member BI and pivotally connected to this member 6|, as at 62, is a pawl 63. This pawl 63 is engageable with a ratchet 64 which is arranged upon a horizontal shaft 65, and carried by this shaft 65 is a contact arm 66 which is successively engageable with a series of radially arranged stationary contacts 61. A coil spring 81 (Figs. 11 and 13) is wound about the shaft 65 and has one end portion attached thereto.

Associated with each of the stationary contacts 61 is a small electric score-tally light 68 (Fig. 14), the contacts 61 and the tally lights 68 being electrically connected, by means of conductors 69, (Fig. 14) and the lights 68 being, preferably, arranged in a bank or row at the upper end of the cabinet I6 (Fig. 1) so as to be visible to the player from a point above the playing surface I1 of the same.

Attached to the shaft 40 at one end thereof is an arm 10, (Figs. 4, 5, and 14) and the end portions 1| of this arm10 are successively engageable with the angled end portions 12 of resilient contact members 13, each of these contact members 13 being engageable with a corresponding contact 14. Each pair of these contacts 13 and 18 forms a switch 15 and these switches 15 are specifically identified and referred to herein as switches 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D (Fig.

The relatively stationary contacts 14 of the switches 15 are electrically connected, by means of a conductor 86 (Fig. 14), and the resilient contact 15 of the switch 15A is electrically connected, by means of a conductor 85, to one side of the electromagnet 90 of the relay 35. Similarly, the resilient contact 13 of the switch 153 is electrically connected, by means of a conductor I86, with one side of the electromagnet of the relay 36, and the contact 14 of the switch 153 is likewise electrically connected, by means of a conductor 92, with one side of a current source 81, which may be a battery of dry cells, or the like, arranged in the cabinet I6,

In a similar manner, the resilient contact 13 of the switch 150 is electrically connected, by means of a conductor 96, with one side of the electromagnet of the relay 31, and'the resilient contact of the switch 15D is electrically connected, by means of a conductor 94, with one side of the electromagnet of the relay 38.

the ratchet 64 (Fig. 12).

One side of the current source, or battery, 81 is electrically connected, by means of a conductor 91, to one side of each of the score-tally lights 68 (Fig. 14) and the battery 81 is also electrically connected, by.means of a conductor 98, with the contact arm 66; it being noted that one side of the electromagnet 60 is electrically connected, by

means of a conductor 99, to the conductor 91 which leads from the battery 81 and the other vside of the electromagnet 60 is electrically connected, by means of a conductor 58, to the light 26A which represents home base position. The score-tally lights 68 are electrically connected, by means of conductors 69, with the contacts 61 (Fig. 14); it being noted that the lights 26 and 28 are electrically connected to a common ground I04 (Fig. 14) which, in turn, is electrically connectd to the conductor 91 by means of a conductor I05.

It is also noted that the conductor 84 is electrically connected to the source of energy 81 by means of a conductor 88 and 98.

Operation The operation of the present apparatus will now be described as applied, in the preferred embodiment of the invention shown, to a baseball game, although it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to use as a baseball game but may be used in conjunction with other types of coin-controlled or non-coincontrolled amusement games such, for example, as football games, basketball games, and the like.

In the following example, the operation of the present game apparatus will be described with reference to the parts as the same are positioned in Fig. 14, and the first operation which will be described in the following example, will be the scoring of a one base hit, thereby moving a player from home base position to first base position, that is, illuminating the light 263 which represents first base position; the illustrative example of the operation of the apparatus when, with a player at first base, that is, with the light 2613 illuminated, the player makes a three base hit.

Accordingly, assuming that the parts are positioned as in Fig. 14, and that the player succeeds in scoring a ball into one of the ball exit openings or pockets l8 and corresponding runways which have the scoring value of a one base hit.

in this event, the thus played ball will travel down the corresponding runway 30 and will engage and close the corresponding relay switch 32, thereby closing the circuit 34 to the relay 35, whereupon current will flow through the relay 35 as follows:

From the battery or current source 81, through the conductor 92 (Fig. 14) to the conductor 86, through the switch 15A, through the conductor 85 to one side of the electromagnet 90 of the relay 35, thence from the opposite side of the coil 98 of the relay 35 into the conductor 543 which is connected to the contact arm 39B (Figs. 6, 8, and 14), the contact arm 39B being at this time disposed in engagement with the contact A, thence, by way of the conductor 83 to one side of the corresponding actuated switch 32, and from the opposite side of the actuated switch 32 back to the current source or battery 81 by way of the conductors 82, 84, 88, and 98, thereby actuating the relay 35 and causing the movable contact 53 thereof to be attracted into engagement with the corresponding stationary contact 52 of the same; it being noted that the particular one of the relays 35, 36, 31, and 38 which will be actuated by the action of a ball traveling down one of the runways 38 over the corresponding switch 32 therein is determined by the relative positions of the contact arms 39A to 39D inclusive; and that the relay which is thus actuated by the action of a ball passing over one of the switches 32 is the relay which is at this time electrically connected with the contact MA by means of the corresponding conductor 54A, 54B, 54C, or 54D and the corresponding contact arm 39A, 39B, 39C, or 39D.

As the played ball travels further down the runway 30, it will engage and close one of the switches 33 (Fig. 14), (it being noted that the particular runway 30 which is referred to in the present example has only one of the switches 33disposed therein and corresponds to a one base hit), thereby closing the auxiliary circuit 42 to the electromagnet 43, whereupon current will flow from the battery or current source I80, by way of the conductor I03, to one side of the electromagnet 43, thereby actuating the latter, and thence through the electromagnet 43 and conductors I02, switches 33 and IM back to the other side of the current source or battery I00.

When the electromagnet 43 is thus actuated it attracts the pivotal member 44 (Fig. '1), thereby pivoting the member 44 and the pawl 48 (clockwise, Fig. '7) thus tensioning the spring 5|, and when the played ball passes over the actuated switch 33 and the auxiliary circuit 42 to the electromagnet 43 is opened, the tensioned spring 5| will act upon the member 44 to pivot the latter and the pawl 46 carried thereby (counterclockwise, Fig. 7). This movement of the pawl 46 rotates the ratchet 41, the shaft 40, and the contact arms 39A to 39D inclusive, which are carried by the shaft 40, a predetermined circumferential distance (counterclockwise, Fig. 14), this circumferential movement of the contact arms 33A, to 39D inclusive being equal to the circumferential distance between the contact A and the contact D (Fig. 14).

When the contact arms 39A to 39D inclusive arethus rotated a circumferential distance corresponding to the distance between the contacts HA and MD (Fig. 14), the contact arm 39B moves out of engagement with the contact HA and successively into engagement with the contacts ME, MG, and MD and, in the present example, comes to rest or stops in engagement with the contact 4ID.

When the contact arm 39B engages the contact 4IB circuit is closed to the light 28A which is arranged adjacent to home base position (light 26A), and between the latter and first base po sition (light 26B), it being understood that at this time the relay 35 is closed, whereupon current will flow as follows: From the battery 81, through the conductors 98 and 88, into the. movable contact 53.. of the relay 35, which contact 53 is at this time disposed in engagement with the contact 52 of the relay 35, thence through the conductor 54B to the contact arm 39B, through the latter and contact MB and conductor A to the one side of the light 28A, the other side of the light 28A, being electrically connected, by means of the conductors I04, I05, and 91'(Fig. 14) to the other side of the battery 81.

When the light 28A is thus illuminated it indicates or represents that a player is moving from home base position, (light 26A) toward first base position (light 26B), and when the contact arm 39B during this movement, continues to move (counterclockwise, Fig. i l, from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 14, in engagement with the contact MA to a position wherein it is disposed in engagement with the contact 4ID) engages the contact 4IC, the light 28B is illuminated, this light 28B being arranged adjacent to first base position (light 26B) and between the latter and the light 28A; whereupon current will fiow through the light 2813 as follows: From the battery 81, through the conductors 98 and 88 into the movable contact 53 of the relay 35, which contact 53 is, at this time, disposed in engagement with the contact 52 of the relay 35, thence through the conductor 5413, through the latter into the contact arm 39B, through the contact MC and conductor 55B to one side of the lamp 28B; and thence through the lamp 283 and by way of the conductors I04, I05, and 91 back to the other side of the battery 81, thereby illuminating the lamp 283 and indicating the progressive movement of the player from home base position (lamp 26A)-to first base position (lamp At the end of its movement, in this present example, that is, when the contactarm 38B moves from its position as shown in Fig. 14, wherein it is disposed in engagement with the contact A, to a position wherein it is disposed in engagement with the contact MD, the lamp 26B, which indicates or represents first base position, is closed, so as to indicate that the player has made a one base hit and has traveled from home base position (light 26A) to first base position (light 2813) and at this time, that is, when the contact arm 39B is disposed inengagement with the contact 4ID, current will flow through the lamp 283 (which represents first base position) as follows: From the battery 81 by way of the conductors 88 and 88 into the movable contact 53 of the relay 35, which contact 53 is at this time disposed in engagement with the corresponding contact 52, thence through the conductor 54B to the contact arm 3913, through the latter and thence through the contact MD and conductor 51A to one side of the lamp 26B (which represents first base position), then through the lamp 26B and by way of the conductors I04, I05, and 91 back to the other side of the battery 81, thereby illuminating the lamp 263 and thus indicating that the player has made a one base hit and has moved from home base position (lamp 26A) to first base position (lamp 26B).

The lamp 26B, which represents first base position, and which has been thus illuminated, will remain lit, so as to indicate that a player is disposed on first base, until the player of the present game apparatus plays another ball into one of the ball exit scoring openings or pockets I8 in the inclined playing board I1; and, for the purpose of better and further illustrating the operation of the present game apparatus, it will now be assumed, that the player makes a three base hit and advances the player who is disposed at first base (as indicated by the illumination of the lamp 268) to home base position, which will be indicated by the illumination of the lamp 26A, and illuminates lamp 26D which represents third base position, it being understood that to efiect a three base hit a ball must be played through one of the ball exit openings I8 which are provided in the inclined playing board I1 into one of the runways 30 in' which there are arranged not only one of the relay switches 32 but also three 0 the switches 33 (Fig. 14). I Assuming, therefore, that the parts are positioned as hereinbefore described, that is, assuming that the player has made a one base hit and that the relay 35 is closed, that the contact 39B is disposed in engagement with the contact 4ID, thereby illuminating the light 26B which represents first base position, and that the contact 39A is disposed in engagement with the contact 4 IA,-- and that the player then succeeds in playing a ball into the ball exit opening I8 which represents or has the scoring value of a three base hit.

The ball thus played into a ball exit opening I8 which represents a three base hit will, upon dropping through the latter and into the corresponding runway 30, travel down the runway 30 and engage and close the corresponding relay switch 32, thereby closing circuit to relay 36, it being understood that at this time the contact arm 39A is disposed in engagement'with the contact M A, rather than being disposed in the position in which it is shown in Fig. 14, whereupon current will then flow from the battery 81, through the conductors 92, through the switch 153, and thence through conductor thereby actuating the latter, thence through the conductor 54A and contact arm 39A to contact A, through the latter and conductor 83 to "the corresponding relay actuating switch 32, and thence by way of the conductors 82, 84, and 88 and 98 back to the other side of the battery 81.

Accordingly, when the played ball, upon traveling further down the runway 30, passes successively over and closes the three switches 33 therein (it being recalled that the player in the present example is considered as having made a three base hit), it closes the circuit 42 and actuates the electromagnet 43 (Fig. 14) three successive times. Each time the electromagnet 43 is thus actuated the ratchet 41, shaft 40 and contact arms 39A to 39D inclusive will be moved, as explained hereinbefore, a predetermined circumferential distance (counterclockwise, Fig. 14), this distance corresponding to the circumferential distance between three adjacent contacts 4I that is, for example, between the contacts HA and D, as hereinbefore explained, and this movement of the contact arms 39A to 39D inclusive (counterclockwise, Fig, 14) will move the contact ai'm 39B which, in the foregoing example, is at this time disposed in engagement with the contact 4ID, successively into engagement with the contacts 4I E, 4IF, 4IG, 4IH, 4II, 4IJ, 41K, and 4IL, thereby successively illuminating the lights 28C, 28D, 28C, 28E, 28F, 26D, 28G, 28H, and 26A, respectively, and thus indicating that the player who was originally disposed at first base (as indicated by the illumination of the lamp 263) has moved around the diamond 23 and has crossed home base, as indicated by the illumination of the lamp 26A.

As the player disposed on first base starts to advance around the diamond 23, when the next succeeding player makes a three base hit, that is, when the contact arm 39B, in the present example moves out of engagement with the contact MD and successively into engagement with the contacts 4IE, F, MG, MK, 4II, 4IJ, MK, and 4IL, the lamps 28C, 28]), 26C, 28E;28F, 28G, and 28H will be successively illuminated, respectively as follows: (For the lamp 280): From the battery 81, through the conductors 98 and 88, contacts 53 and 52, of the relay 35, conductor 54B, contact arm 39B. contact 4IE, conductor 55C, lamp 28C and thence by way of conductors I04, I05, and 91 back to the battery 81; (For the lamp 28D): From the battery 81 through the conductors 98 and 88, contacts 53 and 52 of the relay 35. conductor 54B, contact arm 39B, contact 4IF, conductor 55D, light 28D, and thence by way of conductors I04, I05, and 91 back to the battery 81; (For the lamp 266 which represents second base position) From the battery 81, through conduc- I06 and relay 36,'

tors 98 and 88, contacts 53 and 52 of the relay 35, conductor 54B, contact arm 39B, contact 4IG, conductor 51B, lamp 28C, and thence by way of conductors I04, I05 and 91 back to the battery 81; (For the lamp 28E) From the battery 81, through conductors 98 and 88, contacts 53 and 52 of the relay 35, conductor 54B, contact arm 39B, contact 4IH, conductor 55E, lamp 28E, and thence by way of conductors I 04, I05 and 91 back to the battery 81; (For the lamp 28F): From the battery 81, through conductors 98 and 88, contacts 53 and 52 of relay 35, conductor 54B, contact arm 39B, contact 4I I, conductor 55F, lamp 28F, and thence by way of conductors I04, I05, and 91 back to the battery 81; (For the lamp 28D which represents third base position) From the battery 81, through conductors 98 and 88, contacts 53 and 52 of relay 35, conductor 54B,'contact arm 39B, contact 4IJ, conductor 51C, lamp 26D, and thence by way of conductors I04, I05, and 91 back to the battery 81; (For the lamp 28G): From the battery 81, through conductors 98 and 88, contacts 53 and 52 of relay 35, conductor 54B, contact arm 39B, contact 4IK, conductor 55G, lamp 286, and thence by way of conductors I04, I05, and 91 back to the battery 81; (For the lamp 28H): From thebattery 81, through conductors 98 and 88, contacts 53 and 52 of relay 35, conductor 54B, contact arm 39B, contact 4 IL, conductor 51D, lamp 28H, and thence by way of conductors I04, I05, and 91 back to the battery 81; and when the lamp 28H is thus illuminated the home base light 26A is also illuminated to indicate that the player who was originally disposed on first base has now crossed home plate, it being.notedthat the lamp 26A, which represents home base position and the lamp 28H are connected in parallel by means of a conductor I01; current flowing from the conductor 51D, through the lamp 26A, by way of the conductor I01, and thence by way of the conductors I04, I05 and 91 back to the battery 81.

When, in the foregoing example, the player makes a three base hit with a man on first base, that is, expressed in other terms, when the played ball passes over three successive switches 33 and thereby moves the shaft 40 a predetermined circumferential distance (clockwise, Fig. 5), thereby moving the contact arm 39B out of engagement with the contact M D, and successively into engagement with the contacts ME to 4IL inclusive, and as the contact arm 39B moves out of engagement with the contact 4IL into a position wherein it is disposed diametrically opposite to the position in which it is shown in Fig. 14, one end portion H of the arm 10 (Figs. 5 and 14) engages the angled portion 12 of the contact 13 cf the switch A and thereby moves the same out of engagement with the corresponding contact 14 of the switch 15A, thus opening the circuit 81 928615A85-35 52-538898, thereby opening the circuit to the coil 90 of the relay 35, whereupon the tensioned'spring I09 of the relay 35, will urge the movable contact 53 of the relay 35 (clockwise, Fig.4), out of engagement with the contact 52 of the relay 35. thereby opening the circuit to the diamond lights 26 and 28 and,

at the same time, positioning the opposite end of operations may be repeated.

When the lamp 26A, which represents home base position, is illuminated. as in the foregoing example, thereby indicating that the player who was originally on first base has crossed home plate and has scored a run, current will flow from the conductor 51D, by way of the conductors I01 and 58 to the electromagnet 60, and thence by way of the conductors 99 and 91 back to the battery 81, thus actuating the electromagnet 60.

When the electromagnet 60 is thus actuated, it attracts the member 6| (clockwise, Fig. 12), thereby tensioning the spring I08, and when the contact arm 39B passes out of engagement with the contact ML, and thereby opens the circuit 9192-15A--3554B, 393, ML, 51D, I01, 58, 60, 98, 91 through the electromagnet 60, the tensioned spring I08 acts upon the member 6I to pivot the same and the pawl 63 carried thereby (counterclockwise, Fig. 12). This movement of the pawl 63 moves the ratchet 64, the shaft 65, and contact arm 66 carried thereby a predetermined circumferential distance (counterclockwise, Fig. 12, clockwise, Fig. 14), thereby moving the contact arm 66 into engagement with the contact 61A (Fig. 14), whereupon current will flow through the score tally lamp 63A, thereby illuminating the same and thus indicating that the player has made a run or score,-as follows: From the battery 81, through the conductor 98, contact arm 66, contact 61A, conductor 69, tally light 68A, and thence by way of conductor 91 back to the battery 81.

The foregoing movement of the ratchet 64 and shaft (counterclockwise, Fig. 12, clockwise, Fig. 14), which moves the contact arm 66 into engagement with the contact 61A to illuminate the score tally light 68A, tensions the resetting spring 8I and the tally light 68A will remain illuminated to indicate that the player has made one run or score, until the coin slide 18 is again operated, whereupon the depending arm 11 of the coin slide 18 will engagefthe upper end portion of the arm 16 and move the same (clockwise, from full to dotted line position, Fig. 12) against the action of its resetting opening IIO. This movement of the arm 16 (clockwise, from full to dotted line position, Fig. 12) moves the shaft 19 which is fixed to arm 16, and the latch dog 80 which is fixed to the shaft 19 (Fig. 12) a predetermined circumferential distance (clockwise, Fig. 12), thereby moving the latch dog 80 out of latching engagement with the ratchet 64, and thus raising the pawl 63 from full to dotted line position (Fig. 12) or, in which position the pawl 63-is disposed out of engagement with the ratchet 64, whereupon the tensioned resetting spring 8| will move the shaft 65 and the contact arm 66 carried thereby back into their initial positions (clockwise, Fig. 12) into the position in which they are shown in Fig. 12, thereby moving the contact arm 66 out of engagement with the contact 61A and thus opening the circuit 81-98--66--61A-69-- 68A--I0591 to the score tally light 68A.

. When, in the foregoing example, the player makes a three base hit with a man on first base, that is, translated into the terms of the parts shown in Fig. 14, when a ball engages one of the relay switches 32 and closes the circuit 34 to the relay 36, and then upon passing further down the corresponding runway 30 engages and closes successively three of the switches 33, the circuit 42 to the electromagnet 43 is closed three successive times, thereby moving the ratchet 41, shaft 40,

and contact arm 39A, a predetermined circumferential distance (counterclockwise, Fig. 14). This movement of the shaft 40 and the contact arm 39A carried thereby moves the contact arm 39A from a position wherein it is disposed in engagement with the contact 4 IB into a position in which it is disposed in engagement with the contact 4 IJ, thereby successively closing circuit to the lamps 28A, 28B, 26B, 28C, 28D, 26C, 28E, and 26D, and thus indicating that the batter has made a three base hit and is now disposed at third base,circuit to the lamps 28A, 28B, 26B, 28C, 28D, 26C, 28E, and 26D being closed as follows: (For the lamp 28A): From the battery 81, through conductors 98 and 88, contacts 53 and 52 of the relay 36, conductor 54A, contact arm 39A, contact 4IB, conductor 55A, lamp 28A, and thence by way of conductors I 04, I05 and 91 back to the battery 81; (For the lamp 283): From the battery 81, through conductors 98 and 88, contacts 53 and 52 of relay 36, conductor 54A, contact 39A, contact 4IC, conductor 55B, lamp 28B, and thence by way of conductors I04, I05 and 91 back to the battery 81; (For the lamp 263, which represents first base position) From the battery 81, through conductors 98 and 88, contacts53 and 52 of relay 36, conductor 54A, contact arm 39A, contact 4ID, conductor 51A, lamp 263, and thence by way of conductors I04, I05 and 91 back to the battery 81; (For the lamp 280): From the battery 81, through conductors 98 and 88, contacts 53 and 52 of relay 36, conductor 54A, contact arm 39A, contact 4IE, conductor 55C, lamp-28C, and thence by way of conductors I04, I05 and 91 back to the battery 81; (For the lamp 28D): From the battery 81, through conductors 98 and 88, contacts 53 and 52 of relay 36, conductor 54A, contact arm 39A, contact 4IF, conductor 55D, lamp 28D, and thence by way of conductors I04, I05, and 91 back to the battery 81; (For the lamp 260, the illumination of which indicates that the player who has made a three base hit in this present example is passing second base position) From the battery 81, through conductors 98 and 88, contacts 53 and 52 of relay 36, conductor 54A, contact arm 39A, contact 4 IG, conductor 51B, lamp 26C, and thence by way of conductors I04, I05, and 91 back to the battery 81; (For the lamp 28E) From the battery 81, through the conductors 98 and 88, contacts 53 and 52 of relay 36, conductor 54A, contact arm 39A, contact 4IH, conductor 55E, lamp 28E, and thence by way of conductors I04, I05, and 91 back to the battery 81; (For the lamp 28F) From the battery 81, through conductors 98 and 88, contacts 53 and 52 of relay 36, conductor 54A, contact arm 39A, contact 4II, conductor 55F, lamp 28F, and thence by way of the conductors I04, I05, and 91 back to the battery 81; (For the lamp 26D, the illumination of which indicates that the player who, in this present example, has made a three base hit has now arrived at third base) From the battery 81, through conductors 98 and 88, contacts 53 and 52 of relay 36, conductor 54A, contact arm 39A, contact 4IJ, conductor 51C, lamp 26D, and thence by way of conductors I04, I05, and 91 back to the battery 81,-thereby indicating that the player who in this present example, has made a three base hit, is now disposed at third base position; it being noted that this lamp 26D, which represents third base position, will remain lit until the player again scores a ball into one of the ball exit or scoring openings I8 and thereby advances the contact arm 39A out of engagement with the contact arm 39A out of engagement with the contact 4IJ counterclockwise, Fig. 14); or, until such time as the coin slide 18 is moved inwardly, whereupon the depending arm 11 of the coin slide 18 will disengage and open the coin-operated switch 89 (Figs. 2, 14, and 15) thereby moving all of the relays 35 to 38 inclusive back into their initial or in effective positions.

It is to be noted, in connection with the operation of the present apparatus, as described in the foregoing example, that when the batter makes a three base hit with a man on first base, thereby moving the contact arm 39A successively into engagement with the contacts MA to NJ inclusive, the lights 28A, 28B, 26B, 28C, 28D, 26C, 28E, 28F, and 26D are successively illuminated but that when the end portion 39DD of the contact arm 39D, following the contact arm 35A, (counterclockwise, Fig. 14) successively engages the contacts 4IA to G inclusive the lights 28A, 28B, 26B, 28C, 28D, and 26 are not illuminated because of the fact that at this time the relay 31, which is associated with the movable contact arm 39D, is positioned with the movable contact 53 thereof disposed out of engagement with the stationary contact of the same; and

the same is true of the end portion 390C of the contact arm 390, which will not illuminate the lights 28A, 28B, and 260, as it successively engages the contacts MA, B, C, and MD, since at this time the relay 38, which is associated with the contact arm 39C, is open, that is, the movable contact (53 thereof is disposed out of engagement with the stationary contact 93 of the same.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of ariation and modification, without departing from the spirit of the invention. 1, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims. P

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a game apparatus, an arrangement of lights for representing the progress of the game,

a first means for illuminating said lights in a predetermined order, a second means actuated by an instrumentality used in playing the game and operable to condition said first means to illuminate a particular group of said lights, and a third means also actuated bysaid instrumentallty but subsequently to the actuation of said second means. for operating said first means to effect illumination of said particular group of lights for the purpose aforesaid.

2. A game apparatus including runways down which balls move,. an arrangement of lights illuminable to simulate the progress of a game, a plurality of rotary sequence switches each provided with stationary contacts connected with selected lights and each having a movable contactor for said stationary contacts, together with a common driving means for said movable contactors, relay means for connecting said movable contactors in a power circuit to energize said lights, a first control switch means for actuating said relay means and arranged in said runways for operation by a ball therein, a second control switch means in said runways and also operable by said ball subsequently to the operation of said first control switch means for actuating said common driving means, release switch means operated by said common driving means intermittently to render said relay means momentarily inoperative, and manually operable switch means arranged in said power circuit for deepergizing said apparatus and restoring the same to an initial condition.

3. In game apparatus, a light system for simulating the progress of a game, a master sequence switch connected with said lights and operable to illuminate the same in a predetermined order, relay means operably controlled by an instrumentality used in playing the game apparatus for connecting said sequence switch variously with a source of power whereby certain lights may be energized and kept lighted in a certain order, control switch means also operated by said instrumentality for actuating said master switch, and release switch means operably controlled by said master switch for periodically rendering said relay means ineffective whereby said certain lights may be extinguished in a desired sequence.

4. In a game apparatus, the combination of: a cabinet including a member providing a ball playing surface provided with a ball exit opening or pocket; a plurality of electric lights in said cabinet, visible, when illuminated, from a point above said playing surface and arranged to represent a baseball diamond; a relay in the said cabinet; a ball return runway in the said cabinet below, and in communication with, the said ball exit opening or pocket; a switch in the said ball return runway closed'by the action of a ball traveling therealong for actuating said relay; and means including a second switch arranged in the said runway closed by the action of a ball traveling therealong and coacting with the said relay when the latter is actuated for successively illuminating the said lights so as to represent the various progressive movements of a player from one base position to another upon the said diamond.

5. In a game apparatus, the combination of a cabinet including a member providing a ball playing surface provided with a ball exit opening or pocket; a plurality of electric lights in the said cabinet, visible, when illuminated, from a point above said playing surface and arranged to represent a baseball diamond; a relay in the said cabinet; a ball return runway in the said cabinet below and in communication with the said ball exit opening or pocket; a switch in the said ball return runway closed by a ball traveling therethe various progressive movements of a player from one base position to another upon the said diamond.

6. In a game apparatus, the combination of a cabinet including a member providing a ballplaying surface provided with a ball-receiving pocket or exit opening; a plurality of electric lights in said cabinet, visible, when illuminated, from above said playing surface and arranged to represent the various positions of a ball or player in an amusement game; a ball return runway in the said cabinet having communication with said ball exit opening or pocket; a relay in the said cabinet; a switch arranged in the said ball return runway and closed by the action or a ball traveling therealong for actuating the said relay; and means including a second switch arranged in the said ball return runway and actuated by the action of a ball traveling therealong and coacting with the said relay when the latter is actuated for successively illuminating lights in said cabinet, visible, when illuminated,

from above said playing surface and arranged to represent the various positions of a ball or player in an amusement game; a ball return runway in the said cabinet having a communication with said ball exit opening or pocket; a relay in the said cabinet; a switch arranged in the said ball return runwayv closed by the action of a ball traveling therealong for actuating said relay; and means including a series of switches arranged in the said ball return runway and successively actuated by the action of a ball traveling therealong and coacting with the said relay when the latter is actuated for successively illuminating said lights so as to represent the various movements of a ball or player from one position to another in said amusement game.

8. In a game apparatus, the combination of a cabinet including a member providing a ballplaying surface provided with a ball-receiving pocket or exit. opening; a plurality of electric lights in said cabinet, visible, when illuminated, from above said playing surface and arranged to represent the various positions of a ball or player in an amusement game; a ball return runway in the said cabinet having communication with said ball exit opening or pocket; a relay in the said cabinet; a switch arranged in the said ball return runway closedby the action of a ball traveling therealong for actuating said relay; and meansincluding a second switch arranged in the said ball return runway and actuated by a ball traveling therealong and coacting with said relay when the latter is actuated for successively illuminating said lights so as to represent the various movements of a ball or player from one position to another in said amusement game.

9. In a game apparatus of the type having a play field on which a ball is played and ball runways down which a played ball may roll, a plurality of electric lights arranged so as to represent, when illuminated, various positions of a player in an amusement game, control means comprising: a relay, a first switch means for operating said relay and arranged in one of said runways for operation bya ball moving therein, a master switch operable in steps to illuminate said lights in a predetermined order, a second switch means arranged in said runway for operation by said ball after the same has actuated said first switch means to operate said master switch a predetermined number of steps, said master switch and relay coacting to successively effect illumination of said lights so as to represent the various movements of a player from one position to another.

10. Control apparatus in accordance with claim 9 and further characterized by the provision of release switching means cooperable with said master switch for periodically effecting release which balls pass from said exits, indicating means including an arrangement of lights to represent the progress of a game, a main switching means for illuminating said lights in a predetermined order and of a type which can be electrically conditioned for operation to illuminate a particular light upon a predetermined number of operations of said main switching means, relay means cooperable with said main switching means to condition the latter electrically as aforesaid, a first control means arranged in said runways foroperation by a ball to operate said relay means for the purpose aforesaid, and other control means also arranged in said'runways for operation by a ball after operation by said ball of said first control means to operate said main switching means, and means cooperable with said main switching means for periodically and momentarily disconnecting one of said relays from cooperative relation with said main switching means.

12. In a game apparatus, an arrangement of lights for simulating the progress of a game, an electrically operable switch device for effecting illumination of said lights in a predetermined tuated, to operate said switch device, and means for automatically restoring said switch device and relay means to an initial condition with said lights extinguished after a particular one of the lights has been illuminated.

13. In a game apparatus, including an arrangement of lights simulating a baseball diamond and illuminable to represent the progress of the game, rotary switch means for illuminating said lights sequentially to represent the movement of base runners, and including a plurality of contactors each connectedwith relay means operable to connect the same with a source of power, said relays being provided with a locking circuit to hold the same in operated condition, said relays being initially operated by operation of said rotary switch, such that said contactors may be energized to illuminate certain base lights with which said energized contactors connect by said operation of the rotary switch, a first control switch means in said apparatus and operable by an instrumentality used in playing the gameto operate corresponding relays for the purpose aforesaid, and a second control switch means also operable by said instrumentality but subsequently to the operation of said first control switch means, for operation of said rotary switch, and selectively operable switch means for effecting a restoration of said apparatus to an initial condition with said lights extinguished.

14. The device of claim 13 in which'there is further provided releasing switch means connected with said locking circuit and cooperable with said rotary switch for effecting release of said relays to disconnect each of said contactors from operative condition in sequential order at certain intervals of operation of said rotary switch. I I

15. The device of claim 13 in which there is further provided releasing switch means connected with said locking circuit relays and (:0- switch control mechanism therefor and actuated operable with said. rotary switch for effecting by said rotary switch whenever the latter effects release of said relays to deenergize each of said illumination of a particular one of said lights contactors in sequential order upon a predetercorresponding to home plate position.

mined number of operations of said rotary switch,

together with tally indicating means and tally PHILIP FISCHER. 

